Clip Tempering

[BladeHandler]

I have a clip that is way too hardened, has little give at all. What is the best way to reduce the hardness?

[Doug Lester]

How do you define "way too hard'? What steel did you use and what sort of an edge do you have on it? How does the primary edge behave? A little more information required here for us to have an idea of what could be going on.

Doug

[BladeHandler]

This is a pocket clip for a folder, I should have stated that. It is so hardened that the first one snapped without much force. Waiting on a replacement and assuming it will also be too hardened. Want to be proactive and soften it a bit.
Thanks

[jimmontg]

Temper at 500-550 for 2 hours, or as hot as your house oven goes, and if it is still too stiff find another supplier. You shouldn't need to heat treat a store bought spring at all.

[BladeHandler]

Originally Posted by jimmontg

Temper at 500-550 for 2 hours, or as hot as your house oven goes, and if it is still too stiff find another supplier. You shouldn't need to heat treat a store bought spring at all.

Thanks for the info, the first one broke way too easily so I have another on the way to try, just being proactive in case it too is too hard.

[Doug Lester]

Now that I understand your situation, I agree that you need to find another distributor. No manufactured product should need to be heat treated for use unless it's part of the instructions and, with a pocket clip, that would be ridiculous.

Doug

[Crex]

I agree with Doug 100+. Find another vendor or make your own.
However if you do any bullet or sinker casting with lead, very simple to just place the clip in the molten lead until the lead no longer sticks. This will take it to the temps Doug has mentioned, quite easily while you are doing something else productive. It's the way we used to temper replacement springs for muzzle loader locks. Very consistent temp.

[BladeHandler]

Originally Posted by Crex

I agree with Doug 100+. Find another vendor or make your own.
However if you do any bullet or sinker casting with lead, very simple to just place the clip in the molten lead until the lead no longer sticks. This will take it to the temps Doug has mentioned, quite easily while you are doing something else productive. It's the way we used to temper replacement springs for muzzle loader locks. Very consistent temp.

The replacement showed up friday and it is perfect. I compared the 2 and found the first one had tighter angles forcing the clip down too tight.